After the meeting earlier was closed, Valamar, Cassandra, and most of the younger generation there left the room. The monarchs and generals were still in it talking and discussing various things. Matthaeos had walked up to Valamar and told him that the Aurosian entourage would be leaving in the evening along with the rest of the royal families.

Antonio had got up from his seat and walked towards his daughter and his son-in-law while holding his handkerchief up to his mouth as he was coughing lightly. It would appear the medicine he's been taking from the Queen-Dowager was working well.

When Valamar saw that his father-in-law was motioning for them to come near him, he got Cassandra’s attention to approach him.

"You have a need for us, papa?" Cassandra asked her father

"It's nothing much, mio figlia. I only came here to congratulate you two again..." Then he embraced his only daughter tightly within his arms "My precious little daughter... You were so small the first time I held you in my arms..."

"Papa, you're embarrassing me..." Cassandra said as she laughed a little, returning her father's embrace "And I'm not little anymore... I'm a grown woman now."

"Yes... My daughter is grown, and soon she will have her own family and her own children. A great general, and soon to be a great queen, I'm sure of it... But despite all that, you will always be my little flower..."

"I know that..."

Antonio soon released his embrace as his expression became more serious as he turned to his son-in-law.

"We will be leaving for Florentia soon. It's been weeks since we've left and I fear the nobles will become restless. I have the utmost confidence in my brother's regency, but even then I must return. Cassandra, your mother is waiting for you in the gardens, you should go to her. I have a few words to say to your husband..."

As Antonio said that, Valamar couldn't help but feel slightly uneasy. Cassandra merely bowed and left the two men to their discussions, but not before giving her husband a kiss on the cheek which he did not expect and a happy giggle. Valamar then prepared himself for whatever the Grand Sovereign had to say to him.

***

Cassandra had arrived in the gardens accompanied by some guards. There she could see her mother and mother-in-law sitting by a fountain chatting with each other. When Avenne took sight of her daughter, she cheerfully waved at her and beckoned her to come near. Cassandra bowed at her mother-in-law and embraced her mother as she arrived near them.

"You were waiting for me, mother?" Cassandra asked "Father said you were to be leaving in the evening."

"Yes, sadly... Your items have been moved to this palace into your new chambers with the Crown Prince... I can't believe my little baby is all grown up now!" Avenne said with tears flowing from her eyes as she embraced her daughter even more tightly "I cried at your wedding, and now I'm crying again!"

"Mother, you're embarrassing me in front of her majesty!" Cassandra said sheepishly with a giggle

"I don't care. This might be the last time I get to hold my daughter like this..."

"Don't say such things, mother! I'll come visit..."

Alessa smiled as she saw her new daughter-in-law embracing the elven queen. It reminded her of the time when she was about to get married.

"My mother was far more smothering than that." Alessa said with a smile "We'll take care of her here, Lady Avenne, don't you worry."

"Of course I'm not worried..." Avenne said as she slowly let go of her embrace and sat back down next to Queen Alessa "I have the utmost trust you will care for my daughter as your own."

"Of course. Don't worry sweetie, you won't have to worry about anything in this palace."

"I look forward to further training in the arts of the Rumasilian Court, your grace." Cassandra said

"And you won't have to worry about any mistresses and whatnot."

"I am well aware of the Laws of the House of Vala and I'm sure I hold my lord's undivided affections... next to his family of course."

"If my son will ever come close to being a good husband he'll have to love you even more than that..."

"By the way, I haven't seen Enrico anywhere..." Cassandra said as she looked to her mother

"He is with the other Princes over there." Avenne pointed to the courtyard in the middle of the gardens - the place where Princess Valerie held her duel with the Germanian Crown Prince. There Cassandra saw her brother having a spar with someone.

"What is he doing?" Cassandra asked

"He's doing what men do. Fighting to impress the ladies..." Alessa said

"Ladies...?"

As she said that, Alessa only smiled. As Cassandra inspected the scene closer, she saw the Princess Vera and another girl sitting on a bench next to the courtyard watching the fight while laughing. They were also wearing training armour.

"It's been a while since I have sparred and I can afford a little practice today. Your majesties, may I take my leave?" Cassandra asked as she felt excited by what was going on. It has been a long time since she has had a proper duel with someone and her blood was beginning to rush "Can you point me towards the armoury, Queen Alessa?"

Alessa chuckled as she saw the raw excitement in her daughter-in-law’s eyes as she pointed towards the armoury where Cassandra could get her training gear. While Alessa was amused, a disappointed and sullen look could be seen on Avenne's face.

"Your father's influence on you is starting to show again, my flower." Avenne said with a slight sigh "Why can't you be a little more ladylike?"

"Come now, your grace." Alessa said "She's already behaving like my daughters. Don't worry, nothing wrong should happen. Sparring in the courtyard is at least better than fighting in a sacred tomb." As Alessa joked of the events, Cassandra couldn't help but blush and bow her head in slight embarrassment as Avenne only shook her head.

Cassandra was still waiting for her mother's approval to which she finally received with a sigh. Cassandra hopped triumphantly and gave her mother a quick hug as she immediately made her way to get her training gear.

"Honestly, the more she is like that, the more she reminds me of Gianna..." Alessa said

"Which is exactly why everyday I keep on worrying for that child... I fear for what can happen to her and I keep her in my prayers everyday." Avenne answered "I would be heartbroken if anything were to happen to her... and for that matter, your son..."

"It's fine, your grace." Alessa said with a smile "There's no need for you to worry about all that. In your lifetime, you've done far too much grieving. What say you, we have some fun for ourselves? My mother is dying to have a chat with you."

"The Empress herself? We only exchanged a few words with each other yesterday and I'd be happy to catch up."

"How is it that you two met again?"

"I was only little more than a child when your mother came to Dorinhar almost five-hundred years ago. She was so beautiful, I asked my mother if it was an angel I had seen with those magnificent wings! She even stayed for quite some time, only returning to Zunor on news of her father's death..."

"That struck her hard. Well, we can reminisce with her together. She's in the music room right now..."

Avenne and Alessa then got up to leave. Avenne gave one last glance to the courtyard as she saw her daughter already there talking with her sister-in-law. She hoped nothing unfortunate would happen this time.

Cassandra had donned the training gear as she arrived at the courtyard. She was met with a surprise look from her brother who was huffing and puffing from his sparring session, all sweaty and red faced while lying on the floor. It appears his sparring partner was none other than Lord Valantine who while also tired, appeared strong as he was still standing.

"Your brother's not half bad, Cassandra." Vera said as she noticed Cassandra had entered "A bit sluggish, sure, but a little more training then he might qualify for the palace guard." Vera was joking

"I take it you lost, brother." Cassandra said

"It was a tie!" Enrico insisted as he raised his hand to the air

"It was a most interesting duel." Valantine said "I almost had to use half my strength to beat him."

"If this was a proper Florentinian duel, you'd be the one sulking on the floor, Lord Valantine. You Rumasilians have no finesse in your fighting."

"There's no finesse in a real battle, your grace." Valantine answered

"Oh please. If this was a real battle I wouldn't even bother dueling you. I'd just shoot you with an arquebus." Enrico said as he sat up. He incited a laugh on Valantine's face with his comment "By the way... That get up. I suppose you're here to spar, sister…?"

"I have unfinished business with Princess Vera." Cassandra said as she looked at Vera who gave her a smirk

"Ah yes, about that..." Vera said as she rubbed the back of her head "I would love to spar with and summarily beat you, but unfortunately I may have strained my leg in a previous spar with this lovely girl besides me and so... It appears I won't be able to spar with you today."

"Your stance must've been totally off for that to happen, Lady Vera." Cassandra said a little mockingly to which Vera only shot a glare while the girl besides her only covered up a laugh.

The girl was a pretty one. Tall, slim, black long hair tied into a braid as well as brown eyes, but with features that made her look different from the typical Rumasilian. She had light skin but her facial features bore a resemblance to the Moslem peoples of Pulcharia.

"This girl here is actually a very skilled warrior, even compared to me." Vera started to say "She is my lieutenant and most trusted friend in the Daughters of Ruma (Boruniruma)."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, lady...?" Cassandra said as she inquired for a name

"It is Amara, your majesty..." The girl bowed "Amara Maria Siparende."

"So you are Rumasilian. Although, you look..."

"My mother was a native of al-Alam. I was born in one of the Rumasilian colonies there. She died giving birth to me."

"Oh, I didn't mean to."

"It's fine, your majesty."

"Anyways, Cassandra. If you're looking to spar, this girl's gonna give you a run for your money." Vera said

"If you're fine with that, my lady." Amara said

"Of course! I'm always eager to face good fighters. Step forward, Amara!" Cassandra said excitedly as she readied her stance in the courtyard

Amara had gotten up from the bench and drew her sword as she too prepared her stance in fighting.

"Alright girls, I'll be the referee here." Valantine said as he took Amara's seat next to Vera "Let's have good and fair fight... Begin!!"

Immediately the two girls faced each other as their swords clashed. The rules of the spar were simple. Don't aim for the head or any vital parts and try to hit as many strikes on your opponent as you can while being hit as scarcely as possible.

The fight started out with Cassandra in the lead with her careful yet relentless strikes. They exchanged many blows as Cassandra was starting to sweat. Vera who was observing the fight noticed how Cassandra was not holding anything back, going all out against her opponent who was playing on defense.

It looked as if it was going to be a quick and easy victory for Cassandra, but to her surprise, in the middle of the battle, Amara quickly matched her strikes to Cassandra's pace. Soon enough, the tables were turned and this time it was Cassandra who was put on the defensive. Cassandra realised at the beginning of the duel her opponent had been studying her moves and now was fighting her appropriately.

The duel continued on longer as expected as the two were equally matched with Amara having the slight edge over her opponent.

Valamar had just finished talking with his father-in-law as he made his way to the gardens. His father-in-law had basically threatened him if he did not treat his wife well. When Valamar noticed the commotion going on in the courtyard, he quickly made his way there.

There, he saw his wife was sparring with his sister's most trusted guard.

"What exactly are they doing?" Valamar said as he took a seat next to his older sister, putting her between him and Valantine. He was observing the match closely.

"What do you think they're doing? They're having a match." Vera answered her brother

"My money's on Amara." Valantine said

"That's not the only thing of yours that's on her." Valamar said nonchalantly to which he incited a glare from his cousin "I put five coins on my wife."

The duel was starting to get even more heated. Cassandra hadn't even noticed that her husband was there watching her as she was so invested in the duel.

"By the way, you've heard of the campaign we're taking to Provaria?" Valamar asked the people he was sitting with

"Of course. I'm coming with you all." Vera said

"Of course you are. Nothing we nor anyone else can say about that."

"What did King Valasaire say about that?"

"As if he can refuse his eldest daughter. It was bad enough that I was left behind for the campaign to Aerthil. I'm definitely joining this one. Besides, I hear that wife of yours is also coming."

"She'll be commanding her own personal guard." Valamar said

"And I'll be commanding the Daughters of Ruma..."

Finally, after a while more, the duel was concluded. Cassandra was laying on the ground on her back as she breathed heavily for air, panting from exhaustion. Amara was kneeling, holding her weight on her sword as she looked like she was about to collapse. It was a close victory for the Daughter of Ruma.

Valamar only handed over his coins to Valantine begrudgingly as his cousin had a smile on his face.

"Well, it looks like you aren't that good after all, huh Cassandra." Vera said condescendingly before Valamar slightly elbowed her waist, getting an 'ow' from her

"Don't let her words get to you." Amara said while she was still slightly panting and held out her hand to help Cassandra get up "You are a great warrior. I almost lost myself. You are much better than Vera was this morning."

"Hey, I heard that!" Vera exclaimed

"Thank you, Lady Amara. I was starting to worry for the state of the Daughters of Ruma when I fought with Vera. But now, I'm in awe again."

"Again, I'm right here." Vera said

"That was a marvelous fight, dear." Valamar said as he clapped

"My lord! Since when were you sitting there?! I didn't even notice." Cassandra said as she walked towards her husband

"Oh I just came. Had a little friendly wager. And though I am now five coins poorer, I can say I'm very impressed by your prowess."

"My lord flatters me..."

Valantine looked at Amara as they exchanged glances and they slightly blushed, though no one noticed.

Valamar then grabbed one of the swords from the ground and looked to Valantine.

"Abang. What say you give me back my money." Valamar said in a challenging tone with a smirk

"Well, Anggi (Younger brother)." Valantine said as he got up and drew his weapon, already recovered from his fight with Enrico "You want it back, I say come try and take it."

It was then their turn to enter the courtyard. The two men looked at each other as they were in their fighting stance. Vera acted as referee.

"You ready, boys?" Vera said "Fight!!"

As she announced that, the match had begun.